The United States Department of Education (ED), Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) requests proposals for an America Connects Consortium (ACC). The Consortium shall facilitate national efforts to create, improve, and sustain community technology centers(CTCs), and in particular U.S. Department of Education projects funded under its Community Technology Centers Program (CFDA No. 84.341). The Consortium shall bring together stakeholders whose services are critical to the success of projects funded under the Community Technology Centers program as well as broader Community Technology Center development, service delivery, and sustainability. Although ED believes that no single entity has the expertise and resources to fully achieve the desired objectives and that a consortium, appropriately structured, could achieve them, non-consortium or single entity applicants will be considered. The Consortium shall consist of a variety of member entities and shall launch a focused, coordinated, and comprehensive national effort to promote, support, and sustain Community Technology Centers. The effort shall consider the needs of the field in terms of technical assistance and research and provide services to meet them.

The entire RFP is available below for downloading. Requests for copies of the RFP may be made by telephone, mail, telegram, Internet, or in person. All requests shall reference the RFP number (ED-00-R-0034) and title. Telephone requests may be placed by calling 202-708-6498. Mail or telegram requests shall be sent to the following address, U.S. Department of Education/CPO, ATTN: Yolanda Abney, Room 3616, 7th & D Streets, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4443. E-mail requests may be sent to Yolanda_Abney@ed.gov. Copies of the RFP may be picked up in person on the issuing date at the above address, Room 3616. Issue date is April 25, 2000 and closing date is May 24, 2000 (2:00PM EST). All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered. The dates listed herein are subject to change.